How Stalinist is it when the state hauls a citizen before an inquistion to force him to defend his right of Free Speech? Ezra Levant is forced to defend his freedom. Jim Addison, Wizbang, has the sordid details and videos:
When a Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, published a series of cartoons depicting the Islamic Prophet Muhammad in a “disrespectful” fashion in 2005, a radical Muslim cleric incited protests which erupted into violence in Pakistan, among other places, and resulted in a number of deaths to innocent civilians. The incidents provoked a clash of values: western freedoms of speech and press against strict Islamic law, or Sharia. Many publications reprinted the cartoons to show they could not be intimidated and to show solidarity with the Danish publishers.
One who printed the cartoons was Ezra Levant in Alberta, Canada. Radical Muslim leaders entered a complaint against him with the local “Human Rights Commission,” not unlike the charges brought against columnist Mark Steyn (whose “crime” was directly quoting a radical Imam in his book).
There is at least one man in Canada. Congradulations to Ezra for standing up for freedom.
Addendum I: Ezra has posted his transcript on line..
More, Memeorandum.
Addendum II: More, Allah Pundit, Hot Air.
Addendum III: More, Glenn Grenwald, Salon.
Addendum IV: Meditation from Michelle.
Addendum V: More from Ezra in is own words, “I simply won’t comply” Darn this guy is good.
Addendum VI: From Allah Pundit, Hot Air, Ezra’s closing statement. I sure hope Charles Thompson can hear him as well.
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Tags: BitsBlog, BO, Canada, Crime, Ezra Levant, Free Speech, freedom, Greenwald, hate, hope, Hot Air, Human Rights Commission, islam, Mark Steyn, Men, NY, Pakistan, protests, Salon, UN
